Central Vac?

I had a central vac in the 70's and didn't think they were worth a dime. Maybe they have improved them now, though.

Kick sweep in the kitchen is nice, but like the other moms said, hauling hoses around sucks! We NEVER use ours. Love my Oreck. It's so lightweight I don't mind hauling it up and down stairs (3 story house).

My grandparent's had one in their house and storing and hauling around the hose was a pain! If you choose to get one, make sure that it is the kind that has the retractable hose, or a closet devoted just to the vacuum. I don't know about the quality of the central vac systems, although the concept is great. I personally wouldn't trade my Dyson in for anything.

Central vacs are NOT outdated - they are all the rage with certain groups. My aunt and uncle have one in their new construction home in Michigan. You have outlets along the walls to plug in your vacuuming attachment. Theirs works excellent - the dirt all goes to a central repository in the basement, so the deust doesn't just recirculate in the house like a normal vacuum. Also i have found that dirt doesn't scatter on hardwoods like it does with a normal vaccum - because of the way the attachment works. If I were building, I would seriously consider it. They are stronger at sucking stuff up too, and don't lose suction power - no more considering how expensive of a vaccum you want or need to buy every few years!!

I lived in a house with central vacuuming and I loved it. I was a kid though and it was a total novelty. I have no idea how effective it was except that the kids all were totally willing to take turns.

If your house is going to be mostly carpet, then it makes sense, but they're a bit outdated. I didn't even know they still made them!

Good luck!

My grandmother had one in the house they'd built back in the late 70s/early 80s, and loved it. She had asthma and allergies and it was a lot better for her than the other kinds of vacuums. I loved it too when I had to vacuum. You just turn on the system, and plug your hose into an outlet, and voila! And they clean GREAT. And they're quiet to use because the motor part is tucked away in your basement or garage usually.

Definitely have it put in now, rather than wait. The vacuum store here only installs these systems into new homes. Most central vac people I found when I was looking into this, also only install into new construction (which is probably why central vac systems aren't more "common". By the time people find out about them, their house is built and they can't get anyone to put it in, or the cost is higher etc.)

Central vac is on my "some day" list of things to do to our older home. It would make vacuuming an easier chore, and it would also add to the resale value of our home if we ever did need to sell.

You probably want to be sure that the vacuum ports are in a nicely accessible part of the wall in the room, and not in spots that are likely to be behind heavy furniture.

If we were having a home built, we would *definitely* be putting in central vac.

Hi H.,
As a contractors wife and current owner of a central vac system I say go for it!! We put one in our home that we built two years ago and also in a "spec-house" that we built. I absolutely love my "Beam". My husband installed ours so the labor was nill. The major cost of the Beam is the beater bar head which is the main part of the system. We installed 3 "ports" in the house and 2 vac pans. The ports are in the great room, the master bedroom and the laundry room. The vac pans are in the kitchen and the laundry room (great for quick sweep ups). We purchased a 30 foot hose that works wonderfully well going from room to room. I can't say enough good things about the central vacuum system. One "pitfall" you might run into is having little people opening the "port hole" and sticking stuff in them. We've had a couple of issues with that but it's not a major deal. I wished I'd had a central vac system in our other home as it would have saved tons on vacuum parts, repairs etc. If you have more questions and would like to email me feel free. Best Wishes, L.

H. - Before I was married and had children, I shared a place with my sister in San Francisco that had a central vacuum system... it was awesome! So convenient and easy! Now that I've got 3 kids (+ a dog & 2 cats that shed), I REALLY wish we had a central vac again because I vacuum every day. I have no idea what is involved in putting it in the house, but I know that if I had it, I sure would use it! Good luck!
-E.

We put one in when we built a few years ago..I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have my carpets cleaned professionally every year and each time they are amazed at how clean our carpet is. I used to have them cleaned every six months, but the cleaner said it wasn't necessary since they stay so clean between carpet cleanings. It is well worth the money...

Hi H.,
We have a central vac for the first time (came with the house), and honestly -- I'm not wild about it. The agitator head and hose have to be hauled all over the house, and it's kind of like wrestling with a sea monster. I'm sure you can imagine what it's like to go upstairs.... Then the hose tends to kink up, which is less than ideal. I know it does a terrific job at getting up dirt, so that's the one consolation. Other than that, I'd opt for a high-quality regular vacuum any day over the central vac.

Yes, yes, yes. A central vac system is a time saver, a back saver & a must before sheetrock is in. It is much more cost effective to do it now & much less messy. They will run duct work, electrical all now as supposed to after your sheetrock is in. Enjoy it is definetly worth it! ;0)

I love central vac. Wish we had one now but we don't anymore. They are far from outdated and they clean better than any system I've ever used. Get one now, it is more expensive to have it installed later. They are worth every penny.

We love it, but the best and part that I think is amazing for moms is the kick sweep in the kitchen. Not sure if that is an option but you can just sweet everything right into it. I also would suggest having a vacuum hose on each for. We don't have it yet on the second floor but it would be nice. However, there are some newer ones where the hose is built into the wall at each section, those seem amazing.

Hi H.,

I have a central vac system. I hate it and never use it. It's not worth the money. You still have to lug (or have multiple -- which means more storage as well) long hoses and attachments. If the suction is too weak, it does a lousy job; if it's too strong, bye-bye socks, etc. and you usually have to pay some one to get it out of the canister. I have a three-story house and would prefer to lug my Kirby. I think your money is better spent elsewhere.

Have fun with the new house!
L.